Q: What did you do before becoming a REALTOR®?
A: I owned the Gallery Deli Restaurant in Westfield,
Massachusetts and sold it (it is still in operation), and
then went on to be a National Sales Manager for a food
manufacturer.
Q: How did you get into the real estate business?
A: I had a very good friend in Westfield who owned a real
estate company. When I was tiring of all the travelling as
a National Sales Manager in the late 80s, she suggested
I get into real estate. I did and I left the food industry to
work for her company.
Q: What are the things you like to do most in your
spare time?
A: Travel, entertain, and explore different types of
restaurants and wineries and spend time with my family.
Q: Family life – Husband, Kids, Grandkids, etc.?
A: My husband Ray and I have four children and five
grandchildren. Our daughter, Lisa and her family live in
Danville, California outside of San Francisco, close to
Napa. We love to visit them and enjoy the vineyards and
wineries in that area. We also have two sons, Tony & Troy,
who live in Connecticut with their families, as well as a
son, Todd who lives on Nantucket with his family. Our
grandchildren range in age from 8 months to 19 years
old. We as a family try to spend a week or two together
up in New England each year. It is a very special time for
all of us. We are very fortunate to have children who also
live in great areas to visit. We owned a home for many
years in Kennebunk, Maine and when we first moved to
Cape Coral we would spend quite a bit of time back there.
Unfortunately, the more involved I became in real estate
in Southwest Florida, the less time we spent in Maine. We
did end up selling our place up there but still continue
to enjoy going to New England as it holds a very special
place in my heart.
hints about our Rules & Regs, as well as best practices, it
will increase our member’s knowledge and improve their
professionalism.
Q: Favorite thing about being a REALTOR®?
A: My favorite thing about being a REALTOR is the joy
I continually see when a buyer finds and closes on their
“perfect” home, or when we complete the sale of an
owner’s home and they are able to move forward with
their next chapter of life.
Q: Tell us a funny or memorable story about your real
estate career.
A: After having been well-established in the community
and in real estate in Massachusetts, it was a challenge to
start over again in SWFL. I literally knew three people: our
two friends in Bonita Springs and our Realtor®, Michelle
Hilmes. Where to start was a real challenge. Michelle
suggested I accompany her to a Women’s Council of
Realtors® luncheon and encouraged me to get involved. It
was the best thing I could have done. Once I got involved I
realized I had a “family” of Realtors® and business partners
who I could call on for help. My real estate network was
established and the rest is history. I’m not sure I would
“It will increase our member’s knowledge
and improve their professionalism”
have been as successful in my profession if it hadn’t been
for Michelle’s insistence that I give WCR a try. I went on
to be a two term President of the Cape Coral Chapter of
Women’s Council of Realtors® and am still involved. Over
the years, I have gained so many wonderful friends as well
as a great business partner, Michele Schafer, who I met
through WCR.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Q: Goals (and accomplishments thus far) for the Florida
Gulf Coast MLS in 2017? A: Well, in 10 years, I hope to have wonderful memories
of my real estate career and hopefully be appreciated for
helping to improve our Association and the careers of
other Realtors®.
A: My goals as 2017 MLS President have been to educate
and improve the MLS knowle dge and professionalism
for our members. We have improved our MLS Rules and
Regulations as well as MLS Bylaws, and have instituted the
new “MLS Minute.” I am excited about the MLS Minute
as I am hoping that by providing helpful reminders and Donna is a Broker Associate with Miloff Aubuchon Realty
Group and has been active in the Royal Palm Coast
Realtor® Association since the merger. Before that, Donna
was also very active in the Cape Coral Association of
Realtors®. She continues to dedicate her time to making
the Association the best it can be for the members.
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